Ash tray



J. SQUIRES Aug. 15, 1933.

ASH TRAY File d Sept. 14, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 15, 1933. J SQUIRE5 1,922180 ASH TRAY Filed Sept. 14, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Jhn Jiyazres.

Patented Aug. 15, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT? OFFICE Applicafion September 14, 1931 Serial N0. 562,717

7 Claims. (Cl. 131-51) The invention relates to ash trays and the principal objects thereof are to provide an article of this character having cigarette or cigar supporting means which will prevent the falling of ashes or burning parts 01 a cigarette or cigar over the side of the tray, and hence prevent damage to table tops, carpets 0r the like around the tray; to provide an improved cigarette or cigar supporting means in the form of a clip which can readily be associated with a. container such as a dish or the like, whether er not the container has side walls flaring outwardly 01' inwardly; 130 provide an ash tray having cigarette or cigar supporting means cf novel character which can be manufactured in an inexpensive manner from sheet metal; to provide improved cigarette or cigar supporting means in the form of a bridge constructed of sheet meta1 which is adapted to be supported by the eclge of a dish 3 or other suitable container whether or not the walls of the container flare outwardly; and to provide novel means for supporting cigars o1 cigarettes above and within the boundaries of a container.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings forming a. part of thespecification wherein:

Fig. 1 is a p1an view of an ash tray constructed according to one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the construction shown by Fig. 1, also showing certain parts in cross section for the purpose of further illustrating the arrangement;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the cigar or cigarette supporting means shown by Fig. 2, as seen when separated from the ash receiing container;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of an ash tray having cigar or cigarette supporting means constructed according 110 another form of the invention;

Fig. 5 is an end view 01' the cigar or cigarette supporting means shown by Fig. 4 as seen when separated from the ash container;

Fig. 6 is a p1an view of an ash tray illustrating still another form of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view on a larger scale, taken substantially along line 77 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of the Construction shown by Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view taken substantia1ly alorig line 9-9 01 Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 illustrates the manner in which the cigar 01' cigarette supporting means are fastened 130 a dish 01 container having side Walls curved 55 inwardly toward the center 01 the container; and

Fig. 11 illustrates the manner in which the cigar 01 cigarette supporting means are fastened t0 a dish having side Walls flared outwardly and away from the center of the container.

Referring 130 Figs. 1 and 2, a container 10 is illustrated, which has an outwardly flared wall 11 terminating in an outwardly directed edge 12. The container may be an ordinary dish such as commonly used in households, o1 113 may be manufactured and sold particularly for ash tray purposes, and in either event the container may be manufactured from g1ass, meta1, earthenware o1 any other material suitable f0r the purpose.

As shown by the above figures, as well as by Fig. 3, a cigarette or cigar supporting member 13 7 is provided, which is constructed from thin and springy sheet metal. The supporting member comprises spaced side strips 14 and 15 extending in substantially parallel relation, and interconnecting cross strips indicated ab 16. In the particular construction illustrated, four of the cross strips 16 are provided and as best shown by Figs.

2 and 3, each cf the strips is provided intermediate its ends and between the strips 14 and 15 with an upwardly pressed, arcuate portion 17, 30 which not only reinforces the assembly but normally will prevent depositing cigarettes on the strips longitudinally thereof. The entire COD- struction may be stamped from sheet metal or the like, or the cross strips may be secured 120 the strips 14 and 15 in any suitable manner as by soldering or by welding. Betweeneach pair 015 cross strips 16, the strips 14 and 15 are formed to provide arcuate recesses or pockets 19, the packets or recesses in one 015 the strips being aligned transversely with respect 110 the pockets or recesses in the other strip. The metal defining the pocketsor recesses is adapted to support and maintain cigarettes, cigars o1 the like in position above the container 10. It will be noted that between each pair of cross strips 16 and the strips 14 and 15, an open space 20 is obtained and this space has a particular and desirable purpose. In supporting a cigarette, for example, it is disposed transversely of both strips 14 and 15 preferably, and in one of the pockets in said stri11s and when the cigarette burns, the burning end fina1ly coincides With 01 is disposed over the opening 20. When and if this is permitted 1:0 occur, the cigarette ordinarily will become overbalanced and fall through the space 20, inoo the container 10. In any event, the ashes as we1l as the cigarette will fal1 into the container 10, either through the space 20 or at an outer side of the strips, if the cigarette is allowed 1:0 burn sufllciently without changing its position.

The strips 14 and 15 at each end, are provided with arms 21 and 22 respectively, preferably slightly twisted intermediate their ends, and each of the arms terminates as best shown by Fig. 3 in a widened, reversely bent portion 23 adapted to have substantial engagement with the bead 12 on the container and retain the supporting means on the latter. Each arm also is provided at its extreme end with a second portion 24 reversely bent with respect to the portion 23, which adapts the supporting member for cooperation with a container such as that shown by Fig. 10. It Will be noted that the arms 21 and 22 at each end of the strips 14 and 15, diverge and hence will engage portions of thecontainer that are spaced a considerable distance. This arrangement adds to the stability of the supporting means and renders the assembly less apt to become disarranged. It should be understood that the arms 21 and 22 are resilient and are sprung over the edges of the container and hence 1esiliently engage the latter.

Referring now 130 Figs. 4 and 5, the cigarette supporting member comprises a single, relatively wide strip 27 of sheet metal, which terminates at opposite ends in arms 28 and 29 arranged in substantially the same relation as the arms 21 and 22 in the construction shown by Fig. 1. These arms also terminate in widened, reversely bent portions such as shown in Fig. 3 for adapting the supporting means to different types of containers. Intermediate its ends, the strip 27 is provided with cigarette retaining elements 30, arcuate in cross section, each of which is soldered 01' welded to the strip 27. In this construction as well as that shown in Fig. 1, the cigarettes or the ashes therefrom, will always fall into the container and hence the danger 01 ashes, and burning cigarettes falling upon carpets o1 table tops around the container is avoided.

In both of the constructions so far illustrated and described, the metal strips extending across the container are bowed upwardly, as shown by Fig. 2 for example, and this arrangerrxent is desirable because cigarettes 01 cigars can be more conveniently disposed on and removed with respect 120 the supporting means therefor. Moteover, bowing the strips upwardly in this manner facilitates slipping the arms over the edges of the container as the entire resiliency of the sup porting device can be bxought into play, making lt easier 1:0 secure it to the container. Also, bowing the strips upwardly enhances the attractive appearance of the ash tray.

In the construction shown by Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9, the cigarette supporting member comprises relatively narrow metal strips 33 and 34 having intermediate straight and parallel portions for supporting a plurality of elements 35 adapted to receive and retain a cigarette or cigar. These elements as best shown by Fig. 9, have opposite and portions 36 and 37 diverging downwardly, which are respectively connected to the strips 33 and 34 preferably by soldering or welding. Each of the elements 35 is arcuate in cross section to adapt it for receiving cigarettes or cigars. The strips 33 and 34 at opposite ends diverge as indicated at 38 and 39 and terminate as shown by Fig. 7, in oppositely arranged reversely bent; portions 40 and 41 adapted respectively to engage containers having difierent types of side Walls as previously described. The manner in which these reversely bent portions cooperate with difierent types of containers is clearly shown by Figs. 10 and. 11. It will be noted also in Fig. 6, that the strips 33 and 34 in the region of the reversely bent portions 40 and 41 also are widened, to 0btain greater engaging surface contact with the container.

At one end, the diverging portions 38 and 39 of the strips 33 and 34 are connected by a depending U-shaped band 43, the upper ends of the legs 01 the band being flanged over and soldered or welded to the strips. This band is shaped to accommodate a box of matches of the pasteboard, clip type, well known in the art. The diverging portions of the strips at their other ends are counected by a second, depending band of generally U-shape as indicated at 44 which is similarly secured to the strips by welding or soldering. This band is of such shape as to accommodate the ordinary small wooden box of matches.

The cigarette and cigar supporting member shown by Fig. 6 is bowed upwardly similarly to the constructions previously described and is secured to the container in substantially the same manner. It will be noted however that the comstruction shown by Fig. 6 has bent portions for engaging the containers that are reversely arranged with respect 150 the construction shown by Figs. 1 and 4 o1 in other words the first; reversely bent portion in the construction shown by Figs. 1 and 2 is peculiarly adapted for cooperation with the container shown by Fig. 11, and the second reversely bent portion is adapted to cooperate with the container shown by Fig. 10. The construction shown by Figs. 1 and 4 is so arranged that the first reversely bent portion is adapted to cooperate with the container shown by Fig. 10, and the second reversely bent portion is adapted to cooperate with the container shown by Fig. 10.

From the above description taken in conjunction with the drawings, it isapparent that novel forms of cigarette and cigar supporting means have been provided which are peculiarly adapted for cooperation with difi'erent types of containers and that they may readily be applied to or removed from containers. It is also apparent that any 015 the constructlons will prevent dropping of ashes or bu'rning cigarettes or cigars around the Container and upon carpets or table tops, and hence prevent damage to such articles. More over it is apparent that any of the constructions can be manufactured inexpensively from highly polished sheet metal or metal that has been plated with chromium, for enhancing the appearance of the ash tray.

It is also apparent that any of the constructions may be utilized with a dish of suitable construction ordinarily used in households and hence the cigarette and cigar supporting means may be manufactured as a separate article and sold with the intention of its subsequent application to a dish. Articles of the character described will meet with a wide public acceptance because of their neat appearance, ease with which they may be applied to difierent kinds of containers and their general adaptability for the purposes specified. Furthermore, ash trays such as described will meet with wide public acceptance because they will prevent damage to carpets and tables and the like, that frequently has resulted from using ash trays of well known types.

Although certain forms of the invention have been described. and illustrated in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an ash tray, a supporting member Ior cigarettes or the like, comprising spaced strlps 01 resilient. sheet: material, spaced strips connecting the flrst strips, said flrst strips being formed with aligned depressions between the cross strips for retaining cigarettes or the like, und clip means at the end of the1irst strips adapted to support the member on the Walls of a container.

2. In an ash tray, an elongated member for supporting cigarettes or the like on a. container, said member having diverging end portions, mean's on the latter Ior fastening the member to a container, and a, match box retaining element; secured to diverging portions a1; one end of the member und. extending therebetween, said element being of U-shape, and being suspended between the diverging portions.

3. An ash tray comprising spaced strips of resilient sheet; material, terminating at their ends in diverging portions having Clips for releasably fastening the tray to a. cont;ainer side Wall, anti match box receivers disposed between the diverging end portions at each end o1 the tray and be1ng suspended by such diverging portions, to points adjacent the clip, one match box receiver being adapted to receive the ordinary small woodan box 01' matches and the other receiver, the ordinnry paper match clip.

4. An ash tray comprising spaced strips of resilient material terminating at their ends in diverglng portions having clips for releasably fastening the tray to a container side wall and strips 01; like material extending transversely cf and connecting the first strips a1; longitudinal- 1y spaced points, the longitudinally directed strlps between the cross strips ha.ving aligned depressions tor receiving cigarettes or the like, the cross strips between depressions being deflected upwardly to provlde a means for preventing a. eigarette or the like from being maintained on such cross strlp.

5. An ash tra.y comprising a member terminating a1: its ends in clip portions for releasably fastening it to a container side Wall, und. eiga.rette holding means Iastened to the upper surface of the member, each of said cigarette holding means ha.ving end portions inclined downwardly away from its center whereby ashes or the cigarette are more directly pointed into the tray and in the event of talling of either, there will be lass likelihood o1 the cigarette or ashes beim; deposited outside o1! the tray.

6. An ash tray comprising longitudinally directed strips interconnected by cross strips, said longitudinally directed strips diverging at their ends and terminating in strip portions for releasably fastening them on a. container side wall, the diverging end portions of the strips being twisted so as to favorably dispose the clip portions for receiving portions of the slde Wall o1. the containe(rL 7. An ash tray comprising spaced strips of resilient sheet material, terminating at their ends in diverging portions ha.ving ends terminating in double, reversely bent portions adapting the assembled strips to be Iastened on containers having inwardly or outwardly flared walls at spaced points at each end 013 the strips, and means cannecting the strips at spaced points.

JOHN SQUIRES. 

